2011 New Mexico Book Award Finalist

I am proud to announce that John Simpson Chisum, The Cattle King of the Pecos Revisited has made the finalist list for the prestigious 2011 New Mexico State “best book” award. Awards are given in a number of categories, including the “Biographies” genre, into which the Chisum book is listed. The awards program is organized and sponsored by the New Mexico Book Co-op, a not for profit organization serving authors and publishers.

Texas Lawmen 1900-1940, The Good and the Bad

Compiling the information for the second volume of the Texas Lawmen series has been a daunting task. Volume II covers all of the Texas lawmen who died between 1900 and 1940. Work is progressing very well, however. We hope to be able to announce the name of the publisher in June 2011. We expect to have the manuscript completed for publication by spring 2012.

The turn of the last century brought with it a subtle change and evolution in crime, driving a new era in law enforcement. The old percussion revolver gave way to the semi-automatic pistol and Thompson sub-machinegun. Motorcycles and automobiles replaced the horse. Telephones sped up communications and helped locate fugitives. Prohibition, the Great Depression and Dust Bowl brought new challenges for law enforcement. Nonetheless, in many ways crime in Texas remained unchanged. Texas Lawmen 1900 - 1940 is every bit as fascinating as the earlier book. It contains the names of many people who’s lives touched ours… during our own lifetime. Please check back to follow our progress.

Robert Kelsey Wylie, Texas Cattle King

Of the myriad of important books that grace the shelves of avid historians and Texana collectors, few if any boast more than a few scattered entries about Robert Kelsey Wylie. Admittedly, Wylie did not stretch to the level of success as Richard King, Thomas and Dennis M. O'Connor, Mifflin Kenedy or Charles Goodnight. Nonetheless, several important factors set Wylie apart from the other roughly 1,000 other major Texas cowmen of the era. First, Wylie succeeded at large scale cattle ranching as well as sheep ranching. An uncommon mix to be sure. Second, he displayed keen business sense throughout his life. His success was not the result of a “one off” venture, or a lucky break capitalized on by an otherwise dim witted laggard. Wylie created a succession of profitable enterprises. Third, he did not lose, or squander, his fortune. Last, and perhaps most important to some idealistic historians, throughout the course of his life Wylie displayed strong character to accompany the requisite grit and determination needed to prevail.

Having received his grooming as a cowman at a young age from his father, Robert Wylie progressed through the ranks, starting as a cowboy and trail driver and ultimately reaching the standing of cattleman. Now and then an innovator, occasionally a follower, Wylie was generally on the front end of a good idea. He possessed the imagination as well as the ability to convert his ideas into a succession of profitable ventures. That’s the definition of an entrepreneur.

This first ever biography - Robert Kelsey Wylie, Texas Cattle King - should be available on bookstore shelves by the spring of 2013.

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